Residents across OC are bringing out their holiday lights to make their neighborhoods shine bright this Christmas season.
Editor’s note: This is an occasional series where Voice of OC works with local community photographers to offer residents a first-hand look at the local sites and scenes of Orange County.
Some neighborhoods have yearly traditions that have brought many spectators to drive through the displays.
Other residents take the time to decorate their home representing their beliefs.
While Christmas is historically a Christian celebration – marking the birth of Jesus – the tradition also became a secular family holiday in the early 20th century.
The Christmas lights tradition has a modest beginning that can be traced back to Germany in the 17th century with candles as a way to illuminate tree ornaments.
Today, twinkling display lights can be seen all around as a form of decor to celebrate the holiday seasons.
Sparkle Ball Lane in Fullerton
Over twenty years ago, locals say Fullerton resident Don Bales started a Christmas tradition that still is going on strong, “Sparkle Ball Lane” off of North Yale Avenue in Fullerton, Calif. and stretches along 2-blocks. Bales, created a sparkle ball made from 50 clear plastic cups, strategically placed together and illuminated with Christmas lights.
Kyle Skala and his family had heard about the Sparkle Ball Display before they moved into the neighborhood and have been decorating since they moved in 2017.
“It’s just a wonderful holiday tradition that I love and that I get to enjoy with my kids and my family,” said Skala.
Families including Skala frequently ride around the neighborhood in decorated golf carts to visit neighboring lights.
Eagle Hills in Brea
Eagle Hills in Brea, Calif. is open nightly from 6pm to 10pm starting Dec. 1 to Dec. 26. Visitors can either drive along “Santa’s Route” in the warmth of their car or park at the nearby Brea Sports Park and walk through the neighborhood.
Signs can be seen on public sidewalks directing spectators.
Candy Cane Lane in Orange
Located on Palm Ave in Orange, Calif. visitors can see lights all throughout Old Towne Orange. Many park along Pine Street and Lime Street to stop and walk through festive lights or observe from their cars.
Ladera Ranch
Ladera Ranch, a small unincorporated community right outside of Mission Viejo, is full of lights all around the neighborhood. Whether you stay in your car or get out and walk about, there is something to see all around the city.
Off of University Ave and Hanceford Drive, a collective neighborhood effort leads visitors through an interactive scavenger hunt. Each house has a designated sign with instructions to complete specific tasks like writing a note to Santa or looking for specific decorations.
Santa Ana
For many Latinos in Southern California, Christmas festivities start two weeks before the 25th.
The “Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe,” starts the season on Dec. 12 and is a remembrance of the day that the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to an Indigenous man, Juan Diego in Tepeyac, Mexico.
Then comes the neighborhood posadas, Noche Buena, and finally, Christmas.
Luis Cantabrana Meza, 57, from Nayarit, Mexico, decorates his home honoring the Virgen de Guadalupe, and starts every Dec. 11.
Meza has done it for 17 years, stringing lights across the exterior of his home in Mexican colors while hosting an altar for the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Many locals stop by to say prayers or observe the lights and altar.
Meza says people tell him his house, along Broadway and Camille Street, is one of the most unique during Christmas.
“Lots of people tell me, ‘There’s no other house like this one,’ people bring all the flowers that are here. I put out artificial ones and people start to bring real flowers on the 11,” explained Meza.
“My motivation is because this is celebrated in Mexico. I am from Nayarit, and we celebrate on the 12th,” says Meza.
“And also, I had the idea to celebrate with my neighbors so that our pueblos and traditions are not forgotten.”
Dana Point
The Festival of Lights takes place from November 13th to January 12th at Dana Point Harbor and has a plethora of holiday festivities for people to enjoy. This season they hosted holiday carolers, photos with Santa, a folk club sing along and a series of other events. From December 25th to January 1st, the celebration will keep going with a nightly Hanukkah lighting.
Edgar Galvan and Julie Leopo contributed to the reporting of this story.